Scruggs' Son Pleads Guilty

The son of high-profile trial attorney Richard Scruggs pleaded guilty Friday in federal court to felony charges related to an attempt to bribe a state judge.

David Zachary Scruggs pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Mississippi in Oxford, Miss., to one charge of misprision of a felony for failing to inform federal officials about the attempt to influence the judge.

David Scruggs faces up to three years in prison, a $250,000 fine and one year of supervised release. He is expected to lose his law license, as well.

He was released on probation pending a sentencing hearing, No date for sentencing was set.

He was originally charged with six felony counts for being part of a scheme to bribe state Circuit Court Judge Henry Lackey. Earlier, Richard "Dickie" Scruggs, David Scruggs' father, and others pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy involving a plot to bribe Judge Lackey with $50,000 to decide a fee dispute in their favor.

Judge Lackey reported the incident to federal authorities. He worked undercover, wearing a hidden device to record the attempted bribe.

Richard Scruggs led a team of attorneys that brought a class action for coastal homeowners against State Farm companies over claims stemming from Hurricane Katrina in Mississippi.

The case involving Judge Lackey involved a dispute between the Scruggs and another attorney over fees from an $80 million Katrina claim settlement with State Farm Insurance.

At his hearing David Scruggs said he "had no knowledge" of a plot to bribe Judge Lackey but was aware that one attorney, Tim Balducci, was attempting to use his close relationship with the judge to influence the outcome of the case. According to court records, Mr. Balducci became a cooperating witness and wore a recording device to collect evidence of the scheme.

"I didn't conspire to bribe Judge Lackey in connection with an arbitration order, and I would have stopped it had I known," David Scruggs said according to a court record.

Richard Scruggs, who gained prominence bringing suit against tobacco companies, faces up to five years in prison, a $250,000 fine and loss of the law license when he is sentenced.

None of the plea agreements exempt the Scruggs from any other possible legal actions or indictments.

A call for comment from the U.S. Attorney's Office in Oxford, Miss., was not returned. Prosecutors there are reportedly looking into other cases involving the elder Scruggs.